Bavaria's Last Coal Power Plant Ends Regular Operations

The Zolling coal plant will remain on reserve until 2031 to support grid stability during energy shortages.

The Zolling coal power plant, Bavaria's last major coal facility, ceased regular operations this week as part of Germany's coal phaseout plan.
The plant will stay in reserve until March 31, 2031, to provide backup energy during periods of insufficient wind or solar power generation.
The site's 140 employees will remain employed, as the energy park also includes a biomass heating plant and other facilities.
The Federal Network Agency approved the operator's request to shut down regular operations, with the plant previously burning around 500,000 tons of coal annually.
The closure marks a milestone in Germany's energy transition, with coal's share in electricity generation falling to its lowest level since the 1950s.